Why SMART Goals Might Not Be So Smart 🎯
(article stolen from the Way of the Leader newsletter)
As the New Year rolls around, many of us eagerly set resolutions, determined that this will be the year we achieve our dreams. Lose 20 pounds. Get a promotion. Save more money. The optimism is palpable, but by February, reality often sets in. Why? Most resolutions are built on a flawed foundation: they focus on results rather than the actions that create them.
Think about it—setting a goal like “Run a 5K in under 30 minutes in three months” sounds inspiring. It’s clear, specific, and fits perfectly into the SMART goal framework. But what happens if an injury, genetics, or life’s curveballs get in the way? You’ve trained diligently, but race day comes, and you fall short. Despite your hard work, you feel like you failed. This is the problem with results-oriented goals: they emphasize an outcome you can’t fully control. 🙅
The better approach? Focus on the inputs. Instead of chasing a specific result, commit to the actions that drive it, the process. For example, rather than aiming to hit a 30-minute 5K, try committing to running three times a week, including one interval session. 🏃♀️ This shift puts you back in control. You can’t guarantee the result, but you can guarantee the effort. Over time, consistent effort builds progress—and often exceeds your expectations.
For leaders and individuals striving for growth, this lesson is vital. How many times have you set ambitious goals for your team or yourself, only to feel discouraged when circumstances derailed the outcome? How often have you felt like a failure because you couldn’t control every variable? 🤔
If this resonates, consider this: what if you shifted your focus to the process you can control? Instead of “Increase sales by 20% this quarter,” try, “Conduct weekly coaching sessions with team members to support their growth.” Instead of “Achieve a 90% team engagement score,” focus on “Facilitate a monthly team-building activity to improve connection and morale.” 💼
Reframing SMART Goals 🔄
You don’t need to abandon SMART goals entirely; they can still serve as a useful guide. The key is to adjust them to emphasize inputs over outcomes.
Specific: What actions can you commit to? Instead of “Launch a new product by Q3,” try “Hold weekly planning meetings to stay on track.” 📅
Measurable: How will you track your effort? Instead of “Lose 10 pounds,” focus on “Exercise four times a week and prepare healthy meals daily.” 🥗
Achievable: Are these actions realistic for your schedule and resources? Instead of “Master a new language in six months,” aim for “Practice 15 minutes of conversational Spanish daily.” 🗣️
Relevant: Do your actions align with your values and bigger goals? Instead of “Get promoted by next year,” commit to “Take on one high-visibility project this quarter.” 🎯
Time-bound: What timeframe will you use to stay accountable? Instead of “Write a book by December,” try “Write for 30 minutes every morning for the next six months.” ✍️
A New Way to Approach Your Goals 🚀
Imagine this: What if your New Year’s resolutions weren’t about crossing off a specific milestone but about building habits that last? 🧩 What if you stopped asking, “How much weight can I lose?” and started asking, “What habits can I build to feel stronger and healthier every day?” What would it look like if you focused on the daily steps, the weekly rhythms, and the consistent inputs that shape success?
Ask yourself:
What small, repeatable actions will move me closer to my goal? 🤷♂️
What would it look like to show up consistently, even if progress feels slow? ⏳
What obstacles could I prepare for, and how can I commit to effort instead of perfection? 💪
When you prioritize inputs, something magical happens. ✨ You stay in control. You measure success by the habits you build, not just the outcomes you achieve. You feel empowered because you’re no longer a victim of external circumstances. And the best part? Progress becomes inevitable.
As Archilochus reminds us: “We do not rise to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training.”
So as you plan for this year, ask yourself: What systems can I build? What actions can I commit to today? By controlling the effort, the results will take care of themselves. 💼🏆
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